Rodeo and Chediski Fires merging near Show Low, AZ

CNN

[Semper911]

Does anyone know the status of Pinedale

Pinedale was evacuated yesterday, and the fire has spread through the area. See the map above.

[AZFolks]

We were evacuated last night when the fire jumped the line of containment at Hop Canyon, to the West of Show Low. The traffic out of the area was heavy but orderly. Here is the skinny: the Rodeo fire is believed to have been started by someone in the Cibecue area. The other one (I cannot remember the spelling), was started by a hiker who started a fire to alert rescuers where she was. Please, lets stop the back biting. None of us (the residents of the affected area) blame the Apache Nation for a event which they could not control and the white man is not responsible for it either. Any other position is not tenable unless one is an idealogue pushing an agenda. Such negative comments about the Apaches and/or the "white man" are inappropriate at this time. In addition, no one I know is out playing vigilante. We are a community of good people in a bad situation and do not need any inflammatory rhetoric at this time. Lets just keep our powder dry and hope this fire is contained. The fire is pressing North and East driven by SW winds. I was amazed how much stronger they are as one approaches the fire. If you are looking at the map, Heber and Overgard are on 260 West of Show Low heading toward toward Payson. The fire, as it moves more East will encounter a different terrain as the area is Pinyon Pine and Oak, not the heavily treed areas with Ponderosa Pine.

[KirklandJunction]

Sorry to hear of your evacuation. Yeah, I've been in Hop Canyon.
Sorry, also, I sounded like back biting. My intent was to share some of what I hear. I don't condone most of it, and sometimes I'm too eager to share what is to me obvious childish foolish stupid rude stuff. Doggie in the window. Like the person just here whining about where is our military.

I do, however, ridicule the Prescott College teacher who lost house, everything down to melted plumbing, and then opined that he so loved the indiginous greenery that he couldn't bare to clear brush next to his house. Yes, he applied for federal disaster loans.

Chedeski is federal attempt to spell Apache word for "white rock" if I remember. Chedeski Peak is about 7400 ft, nw of Cibecue. Popular rugged road goes nw, up to the Rim. There is/was/hasbeen a Observation Tower just north of the peak. You probably already know that. Used to be a beautiful area. Not many tourists this fall, I'd imagine.

Hope you return OK. With a lot of good luck, your worst future will be trying to get dust and ash out of every nook and cranny. Everywhere. Good luck.

[McGavin999]

Sorry to hear that you've been evacuated but I'm glad you got out OK. This is a terrible tragedy, that's some of the most beautiful land in Arizona.

I hope the Gulf Stream alters this year and we get our share of rain for a change. It's been dry as a bone for a couple of years now.

Isn't it about time for that 25 year flood?

[Angelique]

Not only I, but everyone has remarked on how your community has been so cooperative and very stoic under such horrible circumstances. My heart goes out to you and your family, and all of you remain in my prayers.

[S.O.S121.500]

"Get ready for this: Some dopes who were out 4-wheeling ran out of gas and lit a signal fire so they might attract attention to get "rescued". "

The news in AZ reports that the guilty party is a woman and the TV news hilicopter that made the rescue also couldn't figure out how extinguish a signal fire or how to minimize their rotor effect.

Shheeesh.....another "fact free FReeper" to 'Get ready for this.......thhhhhwdwwpt.

[GRRRRR]

From Yahoo---

In this image from NASA's Terra satellite captured about 2:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, June 20, 2002, the Rodeo fire northeast of Phoenix is seen creating two large smoke plumes. The Rodeo fire began Tuesday and exploded from 1,200 acres Wednesday to 120,000 early Friday, June 21, 2002. (AP Photo/NASA)

[S.O.S121.500]

Be gone italiacs.

[JimSEA]

Like you, I grew up in Az. I have many good memories of Show Low, Heber, Ft. Apache reservation, etc. When I worked at Superior and San Manuel, we used to spend long change weekends either playing golf at a great little course in Show Low or Fishing on the White River. It makes me sick thinking of all that going up in flames. Our Prayers go to the good people living there.

[dittomom]

Just turned on Fox News Channel - they're going to cover a news conference with our "fearless" leader, Jane D. Hull at about 10:30AM Arizona time.

[JimSEA]

Thanks for the map. I was wondering where exactly the bur was. Re: The Hiker, excuse my insensitivity, but you have to be pretty dumb to get lost near Cibecue (climb to the ridgetop and you can see forever).

[dittomom]

Sorry to hear you had to evacuate. Please stay safe. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to have to pick up and leave your home, not knowing what it will be like when you return.

[Angelique]

Just announced on the news, the two fires are expected to merge before 2 pm.

[Angelique]

The two fires are now at almost 400,000 acres.

[AZFolks]

Thanks to those who have offered support. To the person who asked how Pinedale is, I THINK I recall there were 12 homes destroyed and 20 additional structures which can be anything from a chicken coop to a barn. The school is ok, the market is ok, the school is ok, the beautiful old covered bridge is ok and the LDS church is ok. The fire station is gone. To the person who questions how a hiker can be lost near Cibecue, the person was lost in the Pinedale/Heber/Overgard area. I have been totally "turned around" there myself at times as the forest is so dense.

[dittomom]

We moved to Phoenix in 1992 and spent alot of time traveling the state in our first couple years here. We spent time in the Pinetop-Lakeside area and just loved all the beautiful cool pines. The diversity of this state is amazing - I'm sure alot of people think of Arizona as just a desert, as I did before I moved here. It is so very sad to see all the beautiful forests up in flames.

[dittomom]

Hey, there! Thanks for posting that link. Hope all's well in your neck of the woods!

[wittyone]

LOL! Yeah, I'm still out here, I've just been lurking mostly...

We did OK here in PV during the local fire, though five of my coworkers had to evacuate, nobody I know lost their homes...

Having been subjected to falling cinders and ash, I can imagine what the folks east of Show Low are going through right now - except the fear of losing everything, of course.

[Angelique]

I am glued to the tele, and they say that Hull is about to speak about Fed support. Do you have access to a tele? I would be happy to tell you what she says.

It sounds as though its going to be weeks. Do you have a place to stay or do you have to use the shelter? To think that an arsonist did this is beyond conception. I guess the worst part is not knowing whether you';; have a home to go back to.

[dittomom]

Yes, I've mostly been in lurk mode as well. Glad you got through the earlier Prescott fire alright.

This one is so horrible, I just can't believe it. It would take a heckuva rain to douse these flames, and there is no chance of even a drizzle anytime soon. Watching the news and anticipating the PC with the GOV for further updates.